The National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) has confirmed that Christopher Nwoye, owner of the Happy Home Orphanage in Asaba, Delta State, has turned himself in to the agency.
This was announced in a statement by NAPTIP spokesperson, Vincent Adekoye, on Thursday in Abuja.
NAPTIP had earlier, on September 17 and 26, declared Nwoye wanted for allegedly evading arrest.
According to Adekoye, four women from Delta State who claimed to be the mothers of some of the children rescued from the orphanage are now being questioned.
Reports say the orphanage had over 70 children, including 15 newborn babies, when NAPTIP raided the facility in June. Some of the children were said to have been stolen from Kano, Gombe, and other northern states. Eight of the babies were later traced to the northern region.
NAPTIP’s Director-General, Hajia Binta Adamu-Bello, said that Nwoye came to the agency’s headquarters in Abuja with his lawyer and some women. She noted that he had previously ignored several invitations to appear before the agency.
Adamu-Bello explained that the operation at the orphanage was legal and not an abduction, emphasizing that NAPTIP acted under the Trafficking in Persons (Prohibition) Enforcement and Administration Act of 2015, which allows it to investigate and rescue victims of trafficking and abduction.
She confirmed that all the rescued children are safe in protective custody, receiving proper care while investigations continue.
The NAPTIP boss also clarified that the children were not being forced to change their religion.
She added that the women claiming to be the mothers of the children are now cooperating with investigators. DNA tests will be conducted to confirm the true parents before any decision is made on custody.
Source: News Agency of Nigeria (NAN)